Every week for almost three decades, Old Town Organ Concert events have kept Poznań's Parish Church packed. The concerts have become an integral part of the holiday cultural scene and have retained their popularity despite the passage of time. Every year, a loyal following returns, and new audience members are added. This is not just because of the holiday season, when cultural institutions close to wait out their slow period while summer festivals take over. What contributes to the continued appeal of the Old Town concerts? Why can't many Poznanians imagine a summer without the sound of the organ?

"Many people are drawn back by the programme," says Prof. Elżbieta Karolak, an organist and one of the event's artistic advisors. "Regulars come to hear familiar songs. They also want to discover the pieces that are rarely played but leave lasting impressions. Rather than imposing repertoires on the artists, we request they confront better and lesser known compositions and include works by Polish composers".

However, it is not only about the repertoire; the instrument itself plays a crucial role. The Parish Church organ, built between 1872 and 1876 by Friedrich Ladegast, one of Europe's finest organ builders of his time, was a challenge to fit into the interior. Ladegast's organ offers a warm, plush sound that feels intimate, almost as if it speaks individually to each listener. Prof. Karolak believes this effect comes from a synergy between the instrument and the church's interior. "I think the organ's sound harmonises with the spirit of this place of worship. It matches the dark and warm colours used by the architects. The organ has repeatedly enchanted me as both an artist and an audience member".

Other attendees shared their reasons for returning to the event: "I have been attending the Parish concerts since I was a kid. It's become a habit, and on top of that, I am fascinated by the organ. When I was little, I helped raise money for its restoration. When choosing a concert, I look at the programme, and I tend to go for the classics," Magdalena tells me before the year's inaugural concert. Stefania adds her thoughts: "I'm happy to have a concert to attend during the holiday season. The concerts are thoroughly enjoyable, allowing you to switch off and reflect. The amazing baroque building provides an added draw."

The line-up of artists also plays an essential role. Our organ concerts feature a mix of seasoned organists and fledgling musicians straight out of music schools. This blend ensures a diversity of ideas and approaches, proving vital for devising a varied repertoire and juxtaposing different interpretations, often sparking engaging discussions about the concerts.

Five Old Town Organ Concerts are scheduled for August. All will be held on Thursdays, except Mario Ciferri's recital, which will take place on Friday, 16 August. A staple of the August programme is the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, a brilliant composer and expert organist. His works will be presented in truly unique renditions. The programme will also include pieces by other classical music greats, some of whom are not typically associated with the organ, as well as several lesser-known works.

On 1 August, Maciej Babnis will perform three sonatas by organists. One of them references the "Nun danket alle Gott" chorale by the 19th-century Gdańsk composer Friedrich Wilhelm Markull. Another piece is Sonata op. 34 by Mieczysław Surzyński, a local composer from Środa Wielkopolska. After studying in Germany, Surzyński has been living in Poznań for several years, where he served as Director of the Musical Society orchestra, choir conductor, and cathedral organist. Completing the concert will be Sonata by Jiři Strejc, a long-time organist at the Hradec Králové cathedral.

On 8 August, Karolina Lucja will showcase the fugue, a polyphonic musical form perfected by Johann Sebastian Bach. Along with the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major BWV 564, the programme will feature works by the Romantic composer Mendelssohn and the 20^th-century composer Flor Peeters, illustrating the enduring nature of this intricate musical form that has survived centuries. The concert will close with César Franck's Finale in B flat major, Op. 21.

One of our two international guests, conductor and organist Mario Ciferri from Porto San Giorgio, Italy, will perform on 16 August. Ciferri will explore Mendelssohn and Bach, featuring Bach's music twice, and drawing inspiration from him for a third piece. Ciferri will play Ottorino Respighi's "Prelude" in A minor that is based on Bach's chorale "Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt" BWV 351. The Italian theme continues with Ferruccio Busoni's "Praeludium und Doppelfuge zum Choral" Op. 7/76, Ludwig Neuhoff's "Phantasie-Sonate" in F minor and Max Reger's "Toccata" in D minor, Op. 59 No. 5.

Although Johann Sebastian Bach's name does not appear in Łukasz Kołakowski's concert programme on 25 August, his spirit and influence are definitely present. Kołakowski will play "Was Gott tut, dass ist wohlgetan" by Johann Ludwig Krebs, a student of Bach from his time at St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig, who later assisted Bach with the church music ensemble. Kołakowski will also perform Ferenc Liszt's variations on the basso continuo theme from Bach's cantata "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen", BWV 12. The concert will also feature works by Mozart and Schumann.

The season wraps up with a performance by Luca Pollastri, an organist from Fidenza Cathedral, on 29 August. The finale's composers might surprise you, as they are not typically associated with organ music. The programme includes sonatas by Giacomo Puccini, celebrated as king of Italian opera in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and an organ arrangement of Chopin's "Prelude", Op. 28 No. 4, arranged by Liszt. Czech music enthusiasts will enjoy an organ version of Bedřich Smetana's famous symphonic poem "The Vltava" ("The Moldau"). The concert will also feature compositions by Busoni, Dvořák and Stanford.

This brief overview of the repertoire only scratches the surface of what you might discover and experience. It's just one of many reasons to spend summer evenings enjoying an organ concert at the Parish Church. The unique instrument, stunning architecture, select performers, and the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the music all contribute to the intimate, synergic, and magical experience of Old Town Organ Concerts.

Paweł Biniek

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

Old Town Organ Concerts, Parish Church, 1, 8, 16 and 25 August

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024